Fran Panek finds volunteering fulfilling

Fran Panek is one of the many volunteers for the Retired Senior Volunteer Program of Madison County, as well as the American Red Cross in Oneida and Syracuse.

For the past 27 years, she's worked a local engineering firm, where she began as a division secretary and later worked for two of the company's presidents.

Panek has been volunteering for the past year.

"Since I am no longer working full time, I have more free time to fill," she said. "I like being around people and I definitely have some business skills to offer. I like learning new tasks and wish to stay active in the community."

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Panek assists with various office tasks, though "each week is different," she said. She helps with general mailings, keeping track of volunteer hours and recruitment. "Whatever is needed, I am ready to tackle it."

Those she works with are part of what she loves most about volunteering. "The people at RSVP are appreciative and great to work with. They take the time to explain what is needed and are always willing to answer any questions that I may have," Panek said. "I feel very productive with my volunteer work here and you could say it's a 'win-win' situation for all of us. They are doing good things and I am proud to be a small part of this group. Mostly I've learned what a super community this is. Everybody seems to care."

Panek's first volunteer experience was with the Red Cross in America with the late Susan Tonra. "She was a 'one in a million' kind of person," Panek said of the former executive director.

"She immediately made you feel like part of the family. Susan passed away recently and the world lost a very special person. Susan truly made a wonderful and lasting impression on me."

Volunteerism helps Panek "stay busy, be productive and meet others so volunteering helps balance me. You can only have so many hobbies. I can't imagine not volunteering."

When not volunteering, Panek likes to walk/jog, cross country ski, snowshoe, bicycle, hike, garden, cook, read, refinish furniture, travel and be with family.

"Volunteering is a good way to meet others in your community while putting your skills to good use at the same time," Panek said. "It's a whole new world. You can volunteer around your lifestyle. Even if you only have a few hours a month to volunteer then there is something out there for you. Volunteers are needed and appreciated."

Volunteer Spotlights is a project of the Volunteer Services Alliance of Madison County (VSA) VSA is a professional association for those who administer or oversee volunteers in Madison County.

The purpose of the VSA is to promote volunteerism and volunteer development and provide a mechanism for interagency networking.

To learn more about the VSA, contact Mary Bartlett, director of RSVP of Madison County at 684-3001 ext. 103, or mb786@cornell.edu.

This is one of a series of profiles on volunteerism in Madison County. The volunteer profiles highlight people in Madison County who willingly give their time and attention to others and share how their own lives have been improved by the role they take as a volunteer.